Short circular loop of Bordeaux city centre on the north side through green spaces.

Getting to Place des Quinconces

(S/E) Place des Quinconces, opposite the Monument des Girondins, head left towards Cours du Maréchal Foch, then take the^first left onto Cours de Gourgues (very tree-lined). Cross Cours de Verdun and enter the Jardin Public.

(1) There are two remarkable trees in this garden, a Mexican bald cypress and a pecan tree. Take the path on the right that runs along the left side of the lake (passing by the traditional Guignol Guérin, which has been there since 1853) then, on the left, join and cross the pavilion of the History Museum. Follow the path on the left and exit onto Place de Longchamps. Turn left onto Rue Saint-Laurent, then cross Rue Fondaudège, a large shopping street, and continue along Rue Albert Barraud to the Palais Gallien.

(2) Continue along Rue Albert Barraud, then take the^first right onto Rue Naujac and walk 300 metres. Take the^second right onto Rue Paulin (there is a lovely garden on the left, but unfortunately it is not accessible) and cross the tram tracks before turning left onto Rue du Temps Passé, then Rue de l'Arsenal for 400 metres. Turn right onto Rue Camille Godard and enter Parc Rivière.

(3) Cross the park towards the west , admiring one of Bordeaux's seven remarkable trees, a bald cypress. Exit Rue de Rivière on the right, then take the^third right onto Rue Bernard Jabouin and continue straight on Rue Henri Expert, walking alongside a large building until you reach the entrance to the Grand-Parc, a very popular neighbourhood.

(4) Work to revitalise this large, permanently open green space may cause some disruption to the route. Head north-east until you reach Avenue Émile Counord (Grand-Parc tram stop). Cross the avenue, then turn right. Cross the small Jardin de la Grenouillère on the left and continue to the roundabout.

(5) At the roundabout, turn left onto Rue Prunier and continue for 300 metres before turning left onto Cours Saint-Louis (traffic) and continuing for 50 metres. Turn right onto Rue Conrad Gaussen and continue to the end of the wide, tree-lined Allée Stendhal. Continue right onto Rue André Darbon, then right onto Rue Barreyre. After 50 metres, turn left and continue to the end of the long, trendy shopping street Rue Notre-Dame.

(6) Follow this pretty street for 400 metres before turning right onto the tree-lined Cours Xavier Arnozan, then left onto Cours du Maréchal Foch until you reach Place des Quinconces (S/E).

(S) Place des Quinconces - Toilet - Largest square in France - 12 hectares - Monument des Girondins to discover.

(1) Jardin Public - 10 hectares - WC - Water point - every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or later depending on the season. See two of Bordeaux's seven remarkable trees: a Mexican bald cypress, easy to spot on the large lawn, surrounded by a fence, and a huge pecan tree located almost opposite the entrance leading to Rue du Jardin Public. See the Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum.

(2) Ruins of the Palais Gallien - a 22,000-seat amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century, a rare reminder of Bordeaux's Roman past.

(3) Parc Rivière - 4 hectares - toilets - water fountain - open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or later depending on the season. On your right is a bald cypress, one of Bordeaux's seven remarkable trees. Take a stroll through this park, which features a gardeners' house and shared gardens.

(4) Grand-Parc - Toilet - Water point - A very popular neighbourhood with large buildings, but which benefits from a huge 11-hectare green space that is open all the time and currently undergoing renovation. The route indicated is subject to change due to development work. Jardin de la Grenouillère - Water point - Small square open all the time, but best avoided in the evening.

(5) Jardin de la Grenouillère - Water point - Avoid at night.

(6) Rue Notre-Dame - Water fountain at the end of the almost pedestrianised street - crosses the Chartrons district, with a pretty church in the middle.